Hooded Scarf Garment

ABSTRACT

A hooded scarf garment is provided. The present invention comprises a hood and a plurality of scarf members that are attached by a neck portion that covers the user&#39;s neck and upper shoulder areas. The scarf members are elongated portions that are composed of insulating material and that cover the user&#39;s chest. A retractable brim, which is attached to the interior of the hood, may be shifted between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. The brim provides relief to the user&#39;s eyes from glare from the sun or provides a further means protecting the user&#39;s face from inclement weather. The present invention furthermore has a plurality of pockets disposed on scarf members.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/867,932 filed on Aug. 20, 2013. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to garments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a combination hood and scarf garment.

Scarves, hoods, and gloves are common accessories used by individuals throughout the winter months, however it can often be a challenge to keep track of every single individual article of clothing and can be tedious to constantly have to take them on and off. Individuals may simply choose instead to go outside into cold, inclement weather without these garments, rather than deal with the host of problems associated with all of their various loose articles. Individuals who make this choice will be extremely uncomfortable without any form of head, neck, or hand covering, however. Therefore, there is a need for a device that combines all of the favorable aspects of hoods, scarves, and gloves into a single, one-piece device that is comfortable and easy to use.

Hood-scarf combination garments are known in the prior art. These devices generally includes single pieces of material that are designed in such a way that when they are properly wrapped around the user's body, they provide both a hood and a scarf for the user. It can be difficulty to properly wrap these devices around oneself, however, and they further lack any type of glove or hand covering. Other devices include simpler head-scarf combination garments that do not require the user to wrap the fabric around himself or herself in a specific way, however these garments still lack glove-like components for covering the user's hands and also generally lack any type of pockets for the user to store loose articles in.

The present invention provides a novel hooded scarf garment that addresses all of these problems inherent in the prior art. The present invention comprises a hood and a plurality of scarf members that are connected by a neck portion. The hood is adjustable and may be transitioned between a position covering the user's head and a collapsed position behind the user's head. A clasp may be used to reversibly fasten the hood in place when in its collapsed position. The interior surface of the hood further has a retractable brim disposed thereon for protect the user's eyes and face. The scarf member has a plurality of pockets disposed on both of its exterior and interior surfaces. The pockets on the exterior surface of the scarf members can be used to store various articles or the user can place his or her hands therein to keep them warm. To use the present hooded scarf garment, the user need only clasp it around his or her neck. The device does not require a complicated wrapping technique to be used, despite the fact that the present invention is constructed from a single, contiguous sheet of material.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to head coverings. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to hoods or other head covering articles having attached scarves. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Three such devices are U.S. Pat. No. 2,083,616 to Rosenberg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,846 to Hernandez, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,544 to Kanitz, which all disclose a one-piece combined hood and scarf apparatus. All of the patents disclose a single piece of cloth that is designed so that it can be folded in a specific manner, depending on the device, around the user's body to form a scarf and hood combination. The present invention is not designed to be folded around the body and is instead provided in a pre-formed configuration having a hood, a neck portion, and a plurality of scarf members extending from the neck portion. Furthermore, the present invention has a plurality of pockets disposed on the scarf members.

Another such device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,150 to Bedient, which discloses a cap with a retractable brim. The retractable brim is disposed between an immovable upper and lower brim portion, which together form a pocket holding the retractable brim. The retractable brim may then be freely slid between an extended configuration past the ends of the immovable brims, thereby extending the total length of the brim and providing greater protection for the user's face, and a retracted configuration wherein the retractable is fully enclosed within the pocket. The present invention also includes a retractable brim component, however the present invention additionally comprises a clasped neck portion that is secured around a user's neck, a plurality of scarf members extending from the bottom edge of the neck portion, and a pocket disposed at the end of each scarf member.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,467,422 to Bugarin discloses a hood having a tubular neckpiece and a tail portion extending down the chest of the user. The tubular neckpiece can remain around the neck of the user, or it can be pulled up to cover the mouth and lower face of the user. A pocket can additionally be disposed on the tail portion. The present invention also comprises a hood portion and a scarf member, but it has multiple scarf members, a retractable brim, and a clasp that allows the neck portion to be opened and closed.

Finally, U.S. Published Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0137407 to Dimuzio discloses an elongated scarf having a plurality of pockets and a hood or headband attached thereto. The present invention includes a retractable brim within the hood portion and further has a means to secure the hood in a foldable back configuration when the hood is not needed.

The present invention provides a novel head covering apparatus. The present invention comprises a neck portion with a clasp for opening and closing the device, a hood with a retractable brim, and a plurality of scarf members having pockets on both the front and reverse sides. The present invention provides users with a device that combines aspects of a hat, a scarf, and gloves into a single novel article of clothing so that users do not need each of these separate garments. It substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing hood and scarf devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of articles of headwear now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new hooded scarf garment wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when outside during cold winter weather.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hooded scarf garment device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hooded scarf garment device that has pockets into which the user can place his or her hands or that the user can store various articles in.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hooded scarf garment device that is composed of insulating material.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hooded scarf garment device that combines aspects of several different types of garments into a single garment composed of a single piece of fabric, obviating the need to carry multiple separate loose articles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hooded scarf garment device that has a retractable brim.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hooded scarf garment device that has a means for fastening the hood in place in a collapsed position.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hooded scarf garment that has a plurality of pockets for storing objects.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention with the brim retracted.

FIG. 3 shows a reverse view of the hood portion of the present invention, with the hood in its collapsed position.

FIG. 4 shows a reverse view of the scarf members of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an individual wearing the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the hooded scarf garment. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for wearing outside during cold winter weather. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of the present invention. The present hooded scarf garment comprises a neck portion 11 having a top side and a bottom side, a hood 12 attached to the top side of the neck portion 11, and a plurality of scarf members 13 extending from the bottom side of the neck portion 11. The present invention is constructed from a single piece of material. No claim is made as to the exact material that the present invention is constructed from, but the material is preferably flexible, insulting, and waterproof. The neck portion 11 further has a securement means 16 disposed at the ends of a pair of flaps that allows the neck portion 11 to be removably affixed around the user. The neck portion 11 is shaped to cover the neck and upper shoulders of a user to keep him or her warm during cold weather and to protect the user from wind and other elements.

A hood 12 is attached to the top side of the neck portion 11. The hood 12 has a front open aperture that leaves the user's face uncovered, a back portion, an exterior surface 42, and an interior surface 41. The hood is adapted to cover the sides and the back of the user's face and neck, while leaving the front of the user's face exposed. As with the neck portion 11, the hood 12 is preferably composed of flexible, insulating, and waterproof material.

The hood 12 further has a brim 15 disposed along the interior surface 41 to further provide protection for a user's face. The brim 15 is preferably slidably attached to the inner surface 41 of the hood 12 such that it can be moved between an extended position and a retracted position. The slidable connection between the brim 15 and the inner surface 41 is of the conventional type as is well known in the prior art. The retractable brim 15 has a generally curved, substantially rectangular shape. The curvature of the retractable brim 15 is designed to roughly conform to the shape of the user's brow. The call out demonstrates the differing positions of the retractable brim 15. When in its fully extended position, the retractable brim 15 is adapted to protect the user's eyes from glare or to provide additional coverage over the user's face to protect him or her from wind or other elements. No claim is made as to the exact structure of the means that allows the retractable brim 15 to reversibly move between the extended and retracted positions. The retractable brim 15 may be composed of the same material as the rest of the present invention, or may be composed of a different material. The retractable brim 15 may further have a stiffened material disposed within its interior so that it is not flexible.

The present invention further has a plurality of scarf members 13 extending from the bottom side of the neck portion 11. Although no claim is made as to the exact shape of the scarf members 13, as depicted they are elongated in shape with a rounded end. The elongated shape of the scarf members 13 allows them to be wrapped around the user's upper torso or head to provide additional insulation and protect him or her from the elements. The scarf members 13 have a first end 31, a second end 32, a first surface 51, and a second surface 52. The first end 31 is attached to the bottom end of the neck portion 11. A pocket 14 is disposed on the second surface 52 at the second end 32. The pocket 42 is adapted to hold the user's hands or various small articles. A clasp may be provided on the pocket 14 for reversibly closing the pocket. As with the neck portion 11 and the hood 12, the scarf members 13 are preferably composed of flexible, insulating, and waterproof material.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a reverse view of the hood portion of the present invention, with the hood in its collapsed position. The hood 12 is preferably composed of flexible material, allowing the user to push the hood back into a collapsed configuration when he or she does not want the hood 12 covering his or her head. A hood securement means 17 is disposed on the exterior surface 42 of the back of the hood 12 to removably hold the hood 12 in its collapsed position. The hood securement means 17 preferably comprises a clasp having a pair of complementary portions, one of which is disposed on the top portion of the hood 12 and the other of which is disposed on the bottom portion of the hood 12. However, the securement means 17 may also comprise hook and loop fastening material or any other type of reversible attachment means.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a reverse view of the scarf members of the present invention. A reverse pocket 18 is disposed at any point along the first surface 51 of each scarf member 13. The reverse pocket 18 is preferably adapted to hold a portable electronic device, but no claim is made as to the exact shape or configuration of the pocket. The reverse pocket 18 preferably has a hole or other means to allow an ear buds' cord to extend therethrough into the pocket so that a user may place a portable electronic device in the pocket and then listen to music on the device without any interference from the material or components of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of an individual wearing the present invention. The present invention is designed to combine several favorable aspects of different garments, including hats, scarves, and gloves, into a single, convenient article. The present invention is preferably constructed of flexible, insulating, and weatherproof material that is capable of keeping the user warm during cold winter weather. The present invention comprises a single, contiguous piece of fabric. The pockets 14 double as both a means for storing disparate articles and as a glove-like covering for the user's hands. The securement means 16 allows the user to comfortably secure the neck portion 11 around his or her neck and upper should areas to aid in keeping him or her warm. The securement means 16 preferably comprises a clasp, however it may additionally include hook and loop fastener material or any other type of reversible attachment means. Finally, the hood 12 of the present invention may be used by the user to cover his or her head or may be secured in a collapsed configuration behind the user's head.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A hooded scarf garment, comprising: a neck potion having a top side, a bottom side, a front side removably secured about a user by a securement means, and a back side; said neck portion adapted to fit around a user's neck and upper shoulders; a hood extending from said top side; said hood having a brim; at least one scarf portion having a first end, a second end, a first surface, and a second surface; said first end attached to said bottom side; wherein said hood, neck portion, and at least one scarf portion are formed from a single, contiguous piece of fabric; wherein said hood, neck portion, and at least one scarf portion are composed of an insulating material. 2) The hooded scarf garment of claim 1, further comprising a pocket disposed on said second surface of said second end. 3) The hooded scarf garment of claim 1, further comprising a reverse pocket disposed on said first surface. 4) The hooded scarf garment of claim 1, wherein said brim is retractable. 5) The hooded scarf garment of claim 1, wherein said securement means is a clasp. 6) The hooded scarf garment of claim 1, wherein said material is waterproof. 7) The hooded scarf garment of claim 1, further comprising a fastening means disposed on said hood and said neck portion for securing said hood in a collapsed position. 8) The hooded scarf garment of claim 7, wherein said fastening means is a clasp. 